Researchers: Standard explanation for how Earth’s core formed is not possible

In the paper, the researchers argued that the standard model of how the Earth’s core formed is missing a crucial detail about how metals crystallize: a mandatory, massive drop in temperature that would be extremely difficult to achieve at core pressures.

Weirder still, the researchers said, once you account for this missing detail, the science seems to suggest that Earth’s inner core shouldn’t exist at all. More.

4 Responses to Researchers: Standard explanation for how Earth’s core formed is not possible

Hmmm. Let’s say the earth started out as a large globe of water. Molten metallic material would rapidly cool and crystallize, given the relative incompressibility of water. Capturing enough solid material could build up the core, mantle, and crust.

I have no idea whether this would work, but it might be interesting to consider given this:

The more they deny this planet is something very special the more this planet demonstrates just how very special it is.

From “The Privileged Planet” we learn:

“The same narrow circumstances that allow us to exist also provide us with the best over all conditions for making scientific discoveries.”

“The one place that has observers is the one place that also has perfect solar eclipses.”

“There is a final, even more bizarre twist. Because of Moon-induced tides, the Moon is gradually receding from Earth at 3.82 centimeters per year. In ten million years will seem noticeably smaller. At the same time, the Sun’s apparent girth has been swelling by six centimeters per year for ages, as is normal in stellar evolution. These two processes, working together, should end total solar eclipses in about 250 million years, a mere 5 percent of the age of the Earth. This relatively small window of opportunity also happens to coincide with the existence of intelligent life. Put another way, the most habitable place in the Solar System yields the best view of solar eclipses just when observers can best appreciate them.”